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Teaching High School Sociology
Teaching High School Sociology
February 23, 2023

This collection contains resources that are useful for teaching sociology on the high school level. It includes resources that were submitted by high school instructors, as well as 100-level college material that is easily adaptable for high school students. In 2022, ASA assembled a workshop with high school sociology teachers and sociology professors to develop resources specifically for a new “High School Sociology Toolkit.” These lessons and acitvities coincide with the four learning domains found in the National Standards for High School Sociology.  The resources created from that workshop are also included in this collection and are titled with the prefix, "High School Workshop Toolkit."

A crosswalk full of people, some couples, some families, others single strangers.
Ashley Metzger, Maria Peden
High School Workshop Toolkit: Social Relationships Activity
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This lesson includes a class activity and its associated usage notes where students will learn about the social construction of groups and their impact on the life chances of individuals through the exploration of social relationships. This activity was designed...

Cover Page PDF PDF
A table with many different people placing their hands in a line, palm down, all with varying skin tones.
Christopher Salituro
High School Workshop Toolkit: The Social Construction of Race
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Race, Class and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Relations
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Lecture
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This lesson helps students conceptualize the idea that race is a social construction, especially in the way that Omi and Winant describe in their seminal work, Racial Formation (1986); Racial classification in each country is based on the country's social,...

Cover Page PDF
An aerial view of colorful buildings connected together.
Jared Wagenknecht, Maria De Jesus Mora
High School Workshop Toolkit: Understanding the Social Construction of Reality
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Other
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This lesson is an activity that uses a humorous street magician video to help students discuss and understand “the social construction of reality.” It also includes a reading excerpt explaining this concept. There are two potential assessments that ask students to...

Cover Page PPTX PDF
Ava Isaac
Who am I? : The Looking Glass Self
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100
Class Size(s):
Medium
Abstract:
In this activity, students will familiarize themselves with the concept of the Looking Glass Self (1902) by participating in a low-stakes classroom sales pitch. Volunteer participants will complete pre- and post-questionnaires asking them to rate their performance...
Cover Page PDF
Tal Peretz
A Cost/Benefit Analysis of Religion's Effects in Society
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Religion
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
This classroom activity is a multi-stage guided discussion about religion. It introduces sociological ways of considering religion, using students’ existing collective knowledge about different religions and their effects on society. By allowing them to express their...
Cover Page PDF
Row of college lecture hall chairs.
Maria Peden, Ashley Metzger
High School Workshop Toolkit: Introduction to Sociology Syllabus
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This is a sample syllabus for a high school sociology class. It contains grading requirements and procedures, a full course schedule, and project instructions.

In 2022, ASA assembled a workshop with high school sociology teachers and sociology professors to...

Cover Page PDF
A line of infant's strollers, unattended, beside an empty building.
Hayley Lotspeich, Kyla Walters
High School Workshop Toolkit: Danish Baby Carriage on the Curb: An Introduction to Ethnocentrism
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Children and Youth, Family, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This interactive lesson introduces students to the concepts of ethnocentrism, cultural relativity, and cultural discontinuity using the parenting of babies as a case study.

In 2022, ASA assembled a workshop with high school sociology teachers and sociology...

Cover Page PDF PPTX PDF PDF
A view of a desk littered with papers and colorful notes, three sets of hands marking and pointing to different images of data points and graphs among the papers.
Maria De Jesus Mora, Jared Wagenknecht
High School Workshop Toolkit: Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Qualitative Methodology, Quantitative Methodology, Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Lecture
Class Level(s):
College 100, High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This lesson includes notes and a class activity where students learn about the different methods used in sociology. Students will learn about diverse methodological approaches, but the lesson will focus on survey research and content analysis. The activities...

Cover Page PPTX PDF
Hayley Lotspeich
The 99%
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
High School Sociology
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
This assignment is designed to have students identify the role of sociological perspective in understanding the Occupy Wall Street movement as well as the similarities and differences of those participating in the movement. Students will employ sociological...
Cover Page DOC
The Great Wall of China as seen through a stone arch.
Michael Ohsfeldt
Understanding Goffman’s Dramaturgy through Disney’s Mulan (1998)
March 7, 2022
Subject Area(s):
Cultural Sociology, Emotions, Social Psychology, Socialization, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity, Lecture, PowerPoint, Video
Class Level(s):
College 200, College 300, College 400, Graduate
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The theory of dramaturgy put forth by Erving Goffman in The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life is foundational for sociological understandings of the self, interaction, identity, and roles, which continue to be relevant for students in both their...

Cover Page PPT DOC DOC

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